The Nobel Family, p. 776

NOBLE FAMILY. About the year 1801 William Noble, who was a weaver, a trade he followed for many years in his native land, Ireland, set sail with his family for America, the voyage across the Atlantic occupying fourteen weeks. They landed at New York, and from there proceeded to Shippensburgh, Penn., where they remained two years, and then came westward to this county, arriving about the year 1810. William Noble settled on a rented farm in Buffalo township, where he engaged in agriculture until 1822, in which year he moved to Stark county, Ohio, where he and his sons, Robert, John and James, purchased a farm near the town of Massillon, which property was entirely unimproved, but was by the industry and care of the family ere long converted into a fine fertile piece of land. Here he died in 1845. He reared a family of five children, viz.: John, James, William, Robert and Elizabeth (wife of James Johnson). Mr. Noble was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for thirteen years was an elder of the same in Ohio; politically he was a Democrat, at all times taking an active interest in the affairs of the party.

William Noble, son of this veteran pioneer, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1793, and when eight years of age came with his parents to the United States, and to Buffalo township, this county, where during the rest of his life he successfully followed farming, also worked at his trade, that of a weaver. He was married to Rachel Spencer, whose father was a native of Florida, and the children that came to his union were Sarah (wife of George Miller), James, Robert, Eliza, Henry C., Nancy A. (wife of Daniel McPherson), Samuel A. and William. The father passed from earth in 1867, the mother following him to the grave in 1884, and both repose in the cemetery at Claysville. They were devout members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at Upper Buffalo, and he was a warm friend of education and a zealous advocate of all public enterprises tending to the promotion of good in the community. A member of the Democratic party, he was an active worker and fearless partisan.

James Noble, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Buffalo township, was born August 13, 1816, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of William and Rachel (Spencer) Noble. He received his education at the primitive schools of his boyhood days, and at the age of thirteen years commenced to work on the farm of Isaac Hodgens, with whom he remained some twenty-two years, his wages being for first year $6 per month, increasing year by year until he was in receipt of $20 per month. In August, 1839, Mr. Noble was married to Maria, daughter of George Mealy, and one child was born to this union, Mary, now the wife of John Brown, of Donegal township. The mother of this child dying in 1841, Mr. Noble married, August 14, 1849, Rebecca, daughter of George Ritchey, of Donegal township, and the children born to this marriage are Rachel (wife of T. B. Craig), Hester J. (wife of Franklin Bebout), Amanda, Nettie (wife of W. F. Crothers), Clara, Blanche and James. Mr. Noble has passed his entire life in Buffalo and Donegal townships, twenty-three years in the latter, having, in 1870, come to his present fine home where he has 425 acres of well-improved land. In politics he is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the party in both the townships he has been a resident of, and has held various positions of trust. He and his wife are members and prominent supporters of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown.

Robert Noble, another worth representative of this prominent family, is also a native of Washington county, born in Buffalo township, April 4, 1819, a son of William and Rachel (Spencer) Noble. He received his education in the subscription schools of the locality in which he was born, and was reared to the arduous and manifold duties of farm life. On September 2, 1842, he was married to Rachel, daughter of John McKean, and the children born to this union are: William R. (a farmer in Buffalo township), Margaret J. (Mrs. John H. Van Kirk), and John W. and Wishart S. (both farmers of Buffalo township). The mother of this family dying May 5, 1855, Mr. Noble in 1856 married Mary Graham, who was called from earth in 1887, and our subject afterward, in February, 1889, was united in wedlock with Jane, daughter of John Zink, of Brooke county, W. Va. Up to the year 1885 he carried on farming operations in Buffalo township, and then came to the borough of Claysville, where he has since lived a retired life. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Claysville. In his political preferences Mr. Noble has always voted the Democratic ticket, and he has held various township offices with much credit to himself, and the perfect satisfaction of his constituents. He is the owner of 550 acres of fine farming land in Buffalo township, and has always been regarded as an enterprising and progressive man, commanding the respect of all. [Since the above was prepared for the press, word has been received of the death of Mr. Robert Noble, February 22, 1893. - Ed.]

Henry Clay Noble, a well-known representative citizen of Buffalo township, is a native of the same, having been born November 14, 1825, a son of William and Rachel (Spencer) Noble. His education was received in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, which, however, owing to his many duties on the farm he was unable to attend with any degree of regularity. His first "book" was a common shingle, on which were chalked the letters of the alphabet, and from this our youthful hero and his classmates (who were similarly provided) had to learn their "A, B, C's." This, it may well be imagined, became the source of no small amusement to, and a great deal of ridicule from, the boys of the more advanced classes, who teased these juniors unmercifully and unceasingly, so much so that, after school was dismissed, they took their shingles to the corner of the school-house and broke them into splinters, for which they were duly punished at home. Many were the hardships the early student had to contend with; but it was such hardships that produced brain and brawn in the community from which have evolved some of the very best men in our land. On June 21, 1854, Mr. Noble was married to Rachel C., daughter of Thomas Carson, of Buffalo township, and the children born to this union were: Thomas G. (living at home) and William L. (married June 13, 1878, to Miss Bertha R., daughter of William Mitchell, of Washington county, Penn., by which union there has been born one child, Mary H.; Mr. Noble died March 1885). Henry Clay Noble has passed his entire life in Buffalo township, with the exception of ten years before his marriage and ten years after, during which period he was a resident of Donegal township. He is a typical self-made man, and is justly proud of his success, which he secured by hard work, judicious economy and enterprise. His farm of 208 acres is finely situated and well improved. He is an attendant and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and in his political preferences is an active Democrat; he has frequently been urged to accept office, and has at various times been elected a justice of the peace, but has invariably either refused to accept of declined to serve. Physically, Mr. Noble is a large, strong man, well-preserved for his years, with the promise of a long life before him. Samuel A. Noble, the next youngest son of William and Rachel (Spencer) Noble, was born October 14, 1827, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., where he was carefully reared to the arduous duties of farm life, attending in the winter months the schools of the neighborhood. Being a diligent student and apt scholar, Mr. Noble soon fitted himself for the position of teacher, which he filled with marked ability during several winters, in his township. he remained on the home farm until his marriage, and then took up his residence on Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, in the same township where he followed agricultural pursuits. for a couple of years his family lived in West Alexander, during which time he continued farm work, and in 1873 he moved to what was known as the "George Stoolfire farm" in the same township, which he now owns and lives on; it is situated two and one-half miles north of West Alexander, and is a highly improved piece of property. On September 3, 1851, Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Catherine B. Shaler, who was born August 31, 1834, in Donegal township, this county, a daughter of William Shaler, of that township, and the following children have come to bless their union : Clara (who was twice married, first time to W. O. Ralston, and after his decease to Joseph Wetzel, of Granville, Licking Co., Ohio), Luther and Flora (both deceased when young), and Harry (living with his parents, and working on his father's farm). Mr, Noble is now one of the largest landowners in this township, the result of hard work, good management and sound financiering. His farm is kept in excellent order, neat and trim, and well-merited success has repaid his labors, and he is extensively engaged in the wool business, keeping over one thousand sheep. He is a prominent member of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are substantial members of the Dutch fork Disciple Church.

William R. Noble, one of the most popular and best known farmers and stock raisers of Buffalo township, was born July 2, 1844, on the old homestead (originally the Carson farm) in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of Robert and Rachel (McKean) Noble. His education was secured at the common schools of his district, which he has supplemented with much reading and general observation, and to-day he is one of the best informed men in his section. At the age of twenty-two he married Rachel, daughter of George Miller, of Donegal township, by which union there is one child, Laura B., now a highly accomplished young lady, attending the academy at Washington, this county. This wife dying December 16, 1872, Mr. Noble married, August 31, 1876, Miss Emma, daughter of David Clark, of Buffalo township. After his first marriage Mr. Noble settled on the farm where the family now reside, and which he has greatly improved, having added many new commodious buildings, thereby making it one of the finest country seats in Buffalo township. It is situated near the western boundary line of the township, and comprises 175 acres of the choicest land. ;Here Mr. Noble's chief occupation consists in overseeing the work on the farm, and the raising and selling of live stock, in which he does a large business. he is an extensive breeder of Spanish sheep and Shorthorn cattle. Politically, Mr. Noble is a Democrat, and a leading adviser in his party. Mrs. Noble is a very highly esteemed lady, well-known and generally admired for her sterling qualities.

John W. Noble, the next youngest son of Robert and Rachel (McKean) Noble, was born July 26, 1850, in Buffalo township, this county, on the old farm that has been in the possession of the family ever since it was patented. He was educated in the common schools of his district, and early in life evinced an aptitude for business, which, judiciously applied, has brought him well-merited success. On November 14, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Jamison, of Donegal township, and two children have been born to them - Robert Andrew and Lester Floyd. Mr. Noble and his family attend the services of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown, toward the support of which he gives liberally of his means. He is a stanch member of the Democratic party, always taking an active part in its councils. He is a leading man in his section, enjoying the respect and esteem of all as an honest, upright, loyal citizen.

Wishart Stevenson Noble, youngest son of Robert and Rachel (McKean) Noble, was born July 20, 1854, in Buffalo township, this county, on the old home farm. His boyhood was passed in attending the common schools in winter time, and in assisting in the work of the farm during the summer months. :Until the age of twenty-two he remained at the parental home, and then, having married, moved to his present farm in the same township, where he has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising (with the exception of one year he was engaged in the hardware business, in Finleyville, this county), and in all his enterprises he has been eminently successful. On August 17, 1876, Mr. Noble was married to Flora Bebout, who bore him children as follows: Jennie Bell, born March 25, 1878; Daztmease Brunell, born September 6, 1880; Susie B., born June 24, 1888, and Edna, born June 9, 1891, all yet living. Mrs. Noble and other members of the family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Noble is a Democrat, and has filled with much credit several offices of trust in his township.

Text taken from page 776 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Lee Weller of Kingston Beach, Tasmania, Australia as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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